The Benefits Blog

The Benefits Blog provides expert insights, updates, and strategies on Social Security and Medicare, tailored for financial professionals looking to enhance their knowledge and better serve their clients. Stay informed with the latest developments and tips to maximize benefits for your clients.

Receiving Social Security Benefits While Living in Colombia hey marc! living abroad Jun 06, 2022

We have a client that is filing for his SS. He is also moving to Columbia, South America. He is a U.S. citizen. What, if any will be the repercussions?

As a U.S. citizen, your client will continue to receive Social Security benefits after moving to Colombia, South America, without any issues. The S...

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Child-in-Care Benefits vs. Survivor Benefits: What Should a Widow Choose? child-in-care-benefit full retirement age (fra) hey marc! survivor benefit widow benefit May 26, 2022

Situation arose this afternoon, I am looking for some guidance. Husband died in 2021 at age of 64 and had already begun his Social Security benefit. 26 year old child is on SSI and is disabled. It sounds like she (mom, widow) is currently receiving child-in-care benefit.  She is about to turn age 60...

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Impact of WEP on Spousal Social Security Benefits full retirement age (fra) hey marc! primary insurance amount (pia) spousal benefits windfall elimination provision (wep) May 11, 2022

If Roger (born 09/01/1950) has a non-covered pension and drawing less in SS because of WEP , does that affect Ann’s SS? I am thinking Ann (born 08/07/1956) should take hers at FRA which is 66 & 4 months and would receive 50% of Roger’s unadjusted SS. Do you agree?  And what date should she use when ...

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Situational Social Security: Spousal Benefits full retirement age (fra) restricted applications spousal benefits surviving spouse May 06, 2022

We emphasize SITUATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY in the NSSA® Certificate program, as all your clients are UNIQUE. Your clients may be single, married with wide age differences, married with narrow age differences, divorced, surviving spouses, eligible to file a Restricted Application, children, public empl...

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When to Apply for SSDI with a Severance Package: What You Need to Know hey marc! social security disability insurance (ssdi) Apr 25, 2022

I have a client who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.  He was laid off from his job and is going to be receiving a severance package for 30 weeks. His SSDI payment would be about $3115 a month.  He is wanting to know when it would make sense for him to apply for SSDI knowing that he has a severan...

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How to Handle Denial of Surviving Spouse Benefits in a Common Law State common law hey marc! surviving divorced spouse benefit Apr 07, 2022

Colorado is a common law state.  Mary and Lee were together for over 30 years until he passed three years ago.  Mary has attempted to get his social security but has had constant push back from the Lakewood, CO Social Security office.   They said she was not entitled because they did not live togeth...

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Will a Disabled Child’s Benefits Increase When a Parent Retires at 62? full retirement age (fra) hey marc! primary insurance amount (pia) social security disability Mar 04, 2022

Have a client who is going to start Soc Sec benefits at 62. Her estimate is about $2,400 per month.  She has a daughter who is 24, and will be 25 in Sept.  She has been physically and mentally disabled and receives SSI (which is $947 per month). Will she get an increase when my client retires next y...

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How Does Not Filing Taxes Affect Social Security Benefits? hey marc! Jan 26, 2022

I have a client just turned 62 and they haven’t filed or paid taxes in many years- probably 8-10.  My question is- How will this affect their SS benefits.  Will there be penalties? I know they have very little to no income for several years and I believe they may have been living off an inheritance ...

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How Social Security Applies DRCs and COLA: Understanding the Process cola delayed retirement credits (drc) hey marc! primary insurance amount (pia) Jan 05, 2022

I have a client who delayed his benefit after FRA for 4 months which equates to a total of $60 (DRC) which will be added in January. His current benefit is $3,488 a month gross.  What is the order of applying DRCs and COLA or is this a simultaneous calculation?

When it comes to applying Delayed Ret...

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Does Deemed Filing Apply to SSDI Recipients for Spousal Benefits? deemed filing full retirement age (fra) hey marc! social security disability social security disability insurance (ssdi) spousal benefits Dec 03, 2021

Wife is collecting SSDI, but the husband with a much larger benefit has not filed for SSB.  Since she has SSDI, does deemed filing apply?  Meaning she will get a reduced Spousal benefit when the husband does file. This makes me think that she can refile for spousal at FRA if she wanted to get the ma...

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